Players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will pay tribute to the victims of the tragic Bengaluru stampede by wearing jersey number 11 during practice sessions on match days in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision comes as a remembrance for the 11 fans who lost their lives during a stampede outside the stadium in 2025 following celebrations of RCB’s historic IPL title win.
The unfortunate incident took place on June 4, 2025, when massive crowds gathered across Bengaluru to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL championship victory. The celebrations attracted lakhs of fans, and chaos outside the stadium resulted in a stampede that tragically claimed the lives of 11 supporters. The incident sparked widespread criticism regarding crowd management and safety arrangements during the celebrations.
RCB CEO Rajesh Menon announced that players will wear jersey number 11 during the practice session before every match as a mark of respect. He clarified that the number will be worn only during practice and not during the official match. Along with the special jerseys, players will also wear black armbands on match days to honour the fans who passed away in the tragedy.
The franchise is also planning a permanent memorial inside the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB will dedicate 11 permanent seats inside the stadium to remember the fans who died in the stampede. These seats will remain reserved forever as a tribute, symbolizing that the supporters will always remain a part of the RCB family and the team’s journey.
RCB, the defending champions of the IPL, will begin their campaign for the 2026 season on March 28 in Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match will mark the team’s return to their home ground, where fans are expected to gather in large numbers to support their team.
During the IPL 2026 season, RCB are scheduled to play five home matches in Bengaluru, while their remaining two home games will take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. The tribute planned by the franchise ensures that the memory of the 11 fans will remain forever connected to the team and its supporters as the new season begins.